Tuesday, January 3, 2012

Quote from "How Children Learn"

Love it!  Of course, I am sure there are all types of exceptions to the child described below (that's what makes us unique, right?), but it is interesting to consider the truths we can find in it!

"Let me sum up what I have been trying to say about the natural learning style of young children. The child is curious. He wants to make sense out of things, find out how things work, gain competence and control over himself and his environment, do what he can see other people doing. He is open, receptive, and perceptive. He does not shut himself off from the strange, confused, complicated world around him. He observes it closely and sharply, tries to take it all in. He is experimental. He does not merely observe the world around him, but tastes it, touches it, hefts it, bends it, breaks it. To find out how reality works, he works on it. He is bold. He is not afraid of making mistakes. And he is patient. He can tolerate an extraordinary amount of uncertainty, confusion, ignorance, and suspense. He does not have to have instant meaning in any new situation. He is willing and able to wait for meaning to come to him–even if it comes very slowly, which it usually does..." (pg 185, "How Children Learn" by Holt)

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